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A Video Ad, In a Paper Magazine

Posted by timothy on from the who'dathunkit dept.

lee1 writes "The first-ever video advertisement will be published in a traditional paper magazine — Entertainment Weekly — in September. The video will be displayed on slim-line screens around the size of a mobile phone display and will have rechargeable batteries. The associated chip can hold up to 40 minutes of video, and uses technology similar to that used in singing greeting cards, playing the movie when the page is turned. The first clips will preview CBS shows and advertise Pepsi, but they will only be distributed in Los Angeles and New York. Imagine the fun hacking possibilities."

12 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. fun hacking? Er..no. Imagine the annoyance... by Em+Emalb · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How long will it be before someone turns the page in the news paper and Jimbo from Jimbo's Used Cars and Ammo starts screaming about his amazing auto deals (free ammo with every car!) in a VERY LOUD OBNOXIOUS TONE?

    Not long, that's my guess.

    --
    Sent from your iPad.
  2. So this by BigJClark · · Score: 5, Insightful


    So this is the best usage for this technology they can find? How about changing 300lb university textbooks into paper thin alternatives? Updating libraries to use this new technology, increasing the life of the books... etc etc

    Ad's? How.... capitilist..

    --

    Hi, I Boris. Hear fix bear, yes?
    1. Re:So this by squoke · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Let the advertisers foot the bill for the technology. Eventually it will become cheaper and more efficient due to their use. Then academia can reap the rewards.

    2. Re:So this by FrankSchwab · · Score: 5, Funny

      pioneered steaming video formats

      Best typo ever.

      --
      And the worms ate into his brain.
  3. Let me know... by squoke · · Score: 5, Funny

    when Playboy starts using them.

    1. Re:Let me know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Sort of. The games are typically only one player though. And once you start playing, the game is over in a few minutes.

  4. So what toxic materials are in it by rminsk · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What toxic materials are in this screen? Most of the magazines will end up in a landfill instead of being recycled by a proper electronics recycler.

  5. Article Light on Details by Silentknyght · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Seems great, but TFA seems light on details that would seem to come to most peoples' minds:

    • Is it actually an insert into the magazine, or is it part of a page, itself?
    • How durable is it? And its corollary:
    • How flexible is it?
    • Is it always on, or can you turn it off?
    • Wait, the battery is rechargeable? If this is an ADVERTISEMENT in a paper magazine, why would you want to recharge it beyond the novelty? What good is this, and with a battery of 70min, wouldn't they ALL have no power by the time you get it off the shelf?
    • Can I rip it out of the magazine and keep the screen/device and repurpose them for something actually useful?

    FYI, here's what it does list:

    • Screen uses liquid crystal display (LCD) technology
    • Each is 2.7mm thick with 320x240 resolution Can store 40mins of video
    • Battery can be recharged via mini-USB
    • Rechargeable battery lasts up to 70 mins
    • Developed by LA-firm Americhip
  6. It is believed that... by jonnythan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Best line I've read all day.

    "It's believed the new technology will cost much more than normal print ads."

    That's the kind of biting, insightful comment I love from big media.

  7. Re:fun hacking? Er..no. Imagine the annoyance... by gnick · · Score: 5, Funny

    The only problem is that, at least in my experience, when I'm sitting down reading and spontaneously start pounding my lap with a hammer everyone looks at me like I've lost my mind. Anyone else have this problem?

    --
    He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
  8. Re:Yes. With Sound. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    My hammer and I disagree, we can, indeed, set the volume (or at least mute it).

  9. Or maybe they would... by PylonHead · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The crisis in the newspaper industry:

    a) They're all giving away their content for free on the internet, print subscriptions are falling through the floor.

    b) No single paper can charge internet subscriptions, because people will just turn to other papers.

    c) Web ad revenue brings in less money than print ad revenue used to.

    d) Craig's List has completely destroyed the lucrative classified ads revenue source.

    So basically, they haven't found a way to make enough money to do the journalism that we expect from them. The whole industry is sinking, from the best of them to the worst.

    --
    # (/.);;
    - : float -> float -> float =